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he confesses to having an affair with Abigail because he is trying to get his wife, Elizabeth or goody proctor out of prison. by telling the truth about his affair with Abigail it shows that Abigail is making false accusations about Elizabeth harming her as she just wants to hurt her lovers wife because john ultimately chose Elizabeth over Abigail. however in telling the truth about this he needs his wife to do the same. Elizabeth does not know that john has confessed so she lies to save his good name and pride, in doing so she damns them both.

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Q: What finally convinces John Proctor to admit his afair with Abigail in The Crucible by Arthur Miller?
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What is mary warren reluctant to do on elizabeths behalf?

In "The Crucible," Mary Warren is reluctant to testify on behalf of Elizabeth Proctor. She is afraid if she does testify, Abigail and the other girls will turn against her. She is finally persuaded to go to court and testify by John Proctor.


How does Elizabeth Proctor change throughout The Crucible?

She learns to be more forgiving. Elizabeth Proctor would not forgive her husband John Proctor for having an affair with Abigail Williams once she had heard about it, but toward the end of the play, when her husband is about to be hanged, she finally forgives him and shows how much she means it. "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!"


Summarize the conflict that John proctor is experiencing how does proctor finally meet the text before him?

He and Abigail, through their illicit actions, set off a chain of events that get out hand. He eventually tries to resolve the problem by telling the truth, even though this leads to dire consequences, which he faces with great courage.


What finally convinces Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair?

When Iago tells Othello Cassio slept with her.


Who was John Proctor?

The American Heritage Dictionary describes a tragedy as a drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances. This definition of tragedy definitely applies to John Proctor's story in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. A reader could even say that Proctor started the entire Salem witch hunt. His one mistake brings about the deaths of many people and eventually, his own. Proctor is a conscientious man who virtually always acts morally, and this situation is a definite tragedy for it to fall upon such a person. One of the first reasons why Proctor is a tragic figure is because he doesn't deserve the calamity that befalls him. Proctor is a moral man. On pages 20-21, Miller gives an introduction that gives some characteristics that show this. "In Proctor's presence a fool felt his foolishness instantly." This quote shows how Proctor seemed to be able to show people their sins and hypocritical ways. Proctor is portrayed as the type of man that makes everyone feel almost inferior and sinful, to the point where he is "marked for calumny therefore." Also, the introduction says that Proctor was a sinner, according to the society's moral standards, but also to his own. In the second paragraph of the introduction, it says, "He is a sinner… but against his own vision of decent conduct." The fact that Miller separates Proctor's moral standards and society's vision of decent conduct hints that Proctor's moral standards are set higher and unique. Second, his one major flaw causes his own downfall. This is an example of a tragedy. In Act One, there is a scene in which Proctor and Abigail are left alone. In this dialogue, it is revealed to the audience that Proctor had an affair with Abigail. "I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I came near..." Throughout the entire story, Proctor ignores Abigail and tries to push his guilt away. He consistently turns Abigail down, but Abigail continues to chase after him. "I look for John Proctor… John, pity me, pity me!" She is desperate for Proctor, but he turns her down again and again. "PROCTOR: …We never touched, Abby… Aye, but we did not." It is this continuous rejection that drives Abigail to get rid of Elizabeth Proctor by accusing her of being a witch. Proctor then starts to fight Abigael's power in the court to free Elizabeth. However, Proctor loses to Abigail and is condemned to be hanged. His own mistake causes the entire village to go into a mad craze and results in his own death. This is a definite reason why Proctor is a tragic figure. Finally, Proctor's death was heroic and it was a classic example of a tragic hero. First of all, he died for the village. His confession would have given more power to the court. When he showed the village that he would rather hang than confess to being a witch, he successfully took the court's credibility away. He prevented any more innocent people from being convicted and killed. His death made the case of the court seem more suspicious, and in the end, broke down the system. Second, he died without the guilt of his affair and without smirching his name. He wanted to preserve his honor and integrity, rather than give in to the pressures of the society. Also, he lifted the burden of his affair when he confessed in court and because Elizabeth forgave him. These show how the reasons for which he died are selfless and for a noble cause. He could have easily lied, proclaiming that he was a witch. However, his pride and his conscience could not stand lying to the entire village. Even when he knows he is going to die, he doesn't even shed a tear, and bravely goes to his death. This definitely depicts Proctor as the hero of the story who dies tragically. As shown throughout the entire play and the evidence previously stated, Proctor an honest person. Everything about him, including the fact that he feels constantly guilty for his sin shows this. However, Abigail, whose only goals were revenge and lust, somehow gains a new level of power, and Proctor's flaw betrays him. Because of this, he is convicted as a witch. Despite the chance to live by saying that he is a witch, he chooses not to lie, thus helping to take down the court and save his pride from being smirched. His story exactly fits the definition of tragedy as stated before; Proctor is brought to ruin by a moral weakness because of his inability to cope with Abigael's attacks in court. Proctor suffers a great deal in this play, mostly because of his own irreversible mistake. However, in the end, he manages to make up for his flaws and dies without anything burdening him. Proctor dies a noble death. As Elizabeth says, "He have his goodness now…"

Related questions

What is mary warren reluctant to do on elizabeths behalf?

In "The Crucible," Mary Warren is reluctant to testify on behalf of Elizabeth Proctor. She is afraid if she does testify, Abigail and the other girls will turn against her. She is finally persuaded to go to court and testify by John Proctor.


How does Elizabeth Proctor change throughout The Crucible?

She learns to be more forgiving. Elizabeth Proctor would not forgive her husband John Proctor for having an affair with Abigail Williams once she had heard about it, but toward the end of the play, when her husband is about to be hanged, she finally forgives him and shows how much she means it. "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him!"


Who finally convinces Marsupial Sue it's okay to be a kangaroo?

And trying to bounce around with the wallaby crowd finally convinces Sue that it’s okay to be exactly what she is—a very fine kangaroo.


Summarize the conflict that John proctor is experiencing how does proctor finally meet the text before him?

He and Abigail, through their illicit actions, set off a chain of events that get out hand. He eventually tries to resolve the problem by telling the truth, even though this leads to dire consequences, which he faces with great courage.


What finally convinces Othello that Cassio and Desdemona are having an affair?

When Iago tells Othello Cassio slept with her.


Who was John Proctor?

The American Heritage Dictionary describes a tragedy as a drama or literary work in which the main character is brought to ruin or suffers extreme sorrow, especially as a consequence of a tragic flaw, moral weakness, or inability to cope with unfavorable circumstances. This definition of tragedy definitely applies to John Proctor's story in The Crucible by Arthur Miller. A reader could even say that Proctor started the entire Salem witch hunt. His one mistake brings about the deaths of many people and eventually, his own. Proctor is a conscientious man who virtually always acts morally, and this situation is a definite tragedy for it to fall upon such a person. One of the first reasons why Proctor is a tragic figure is because he doesn't deserve the calamity that befalls him. Proctor is a moral man. On pages 20-21, Miller gives an introduction that gives some characteristics that show this. "In Proctor's presence a fool felt his foolishness instantly." This quote shows how Proctor seemed to be able to show people their sins and hypocritical ways. Proctor is portrayed as the type of man that makes everyone feel almost inferior and sinful, to the point where he is "marked for calumny therefore." Also, the introduction says that Proctor was a sinner, according to the society's moral standards, but also to his own. In the second paragraph of the introduction, it says, "He is a sinner… but against his own vision of decent conduct." The fact that Miller separates Proctor's moral standards and society's vision of decent conduct hints that Proctor's moral standards are set higher and unique. Second, his one major flaw causes his own downfall. This is an example of a tragedy. In Act One, there is a scene in which Proctor and Abigail are left alone. In this dialogue, it is revealed to the audience that Proctor had an affair with Abigail. "I know how you clutched my back behind your house and sweated like a stallion whenever I came near..." Throughout the entire story, Proctor ignores Abigail and tries to push his guilt away. He consistently turns Abigail down, but Abigail continues to chase after him. "I look for John Proctor… John, pity me, pity me!" She is desperate for Proctor, but he turns her down again and again. "PROCTOR: …We never touched, Abby… Aye, but we did not." It is this continuous rejection that drives Abigail to get rid of Elizabeth Proctor by accusing her of being a witch. Proctor then starts to fight Abigael's power in the court to free Elizabeth. However, Proctor loses to Abigail and is condemned to be hanged. His own mistake causes the entire village to go into a mad craze and results in his own death. This is a definite reason why Proctor is a tragic figure. Finally, Proctor's death was heroic and it was a classic example of a tragic hero. First of all, he died for the village. His confession would have given more power to the court. When he showed the village that he would rather hang than confess to being a witch, he successfully took the court's credibility away. He prevented any more innocent people from being convicted and killed. His death made the case of the court seem more suspicious, and in the end, broke down the system. Second, he died without the guilt of his affair and without smirching his name. He wanted to preserve his honor and integrity, rather than give in to the pressures of the society. Also, he lifted the burden of his affair when he confessed in court and because Elizabeth forgave him. These show how the reasons for which he died are selfless and for a noble cause. He could have easily lied, proclaiming that he was a witch. However, his pride and his conscience could not stand lying to the entire village. Even when he knows he is going to die, he doesn't even shed a tear, and bravely goes to his death. This definitely depicts Proctor as the hero of the story who dies tragically. As shown throughout the entire play and the evidence previously stated, Proctor an honest person. Everything about him, including the fact that he feels constantly guilty for his sin shows this. However, Abigail, whose only goals were revenge and lust, somehow gains a new level of power, and Proctor's flaw betrays him. Because of this, he is convicted as a witch. Despite the chance to live by saying that he is a witch, he chooses not to lie, thus helping to take down the court and save his pride from being smirched. His story exactly fits the definition of tragedy as stated before; Proctor is brought to ruin by a moral weakness because of his inability to cope with Abigael's attacks in court. Proctor suffers a great deal in this play, mostly because of his own irreversible mistake. However, in the end, he manages to make up for his flaws and dies without anything burdening him. Proctor dies a noble death. As Elizabeth says, "He have his goodness now…"


Who convinces Creon to let Antigone bury her brother?

Tireseas and Senator I, because Tierseas gives out the advice and wisdom, while Creon is outraged by this and finally confronts himself and his inner emotions and what is really right and just. Senator I finally convinces him of Tireseas' wisdom and that he is wise and never wrong.Creon finally "cracks" and decides to bury Polinecies properly with all the proper burial rites.He also attempts to free Antigone from exile and forced death.But is he too late?.......


Who finally convices Macbeth to kill Duncan?

Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to kill Duncan by questioning his masculinity and invoking his ambition for power. She manipulates him into believing that murdering Duncan is the only way to achieve their goal of becoming king and convinces him that they can get away with it.


Why does elizabeth proctor say he have his goodness now when her husband refuses to confess?

she means he has finally forgiven himself for his sins and realized hesnot a completely bad person and still has some good in him


What finally convinces Winston that O'Brien is a member of the Brotherhood?

O'Brien invites Winston to his office and gives him the newest edition of the Newspeak dictionary which Winston later finds to be a copy of Emmanuel Goldstein's book "The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism".


What finally convinces Othello to kill Desdemona?

Iago's constant manipulation of Othello to this end contributed to his murderous desires, but is the "evidence," planted by Iago, that indicates that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him that most strongly motivates Othello to kill Desdemona.


Why did reverend hale tell the prisoners to confess to a lie at the end of the crucible?

Because he FINALLY realised that the hangings were wrong, and wanted to save more innocent lives even if it did mean telling a lie.